Alabama and Clemson battle it out for the National Championship
January 11, 2016
After competing all season, the College Football National Championship has finally arrived, with the game being played between #1 ranked Clemson and #2 ranked Alabama.
Clemson, led by sophomore Quarterback Deshaun Watson, brings its high-powered offense to the game, which the Tigers have used to score an average of 38.5 points per game, including a 58-0 win over ACC rival Miami. Along with a successful offense, the Tigers have held their opponents to an average of 20.2 points per game, 18th in the country. Watson has thrown for 3699 yards and 31 touchdowns, along with 1032 yards and 12 touchdowns, making him only the third player in college football history to pass for 3500 yards along with run for over 1000 yards. In addition to Watson, running back Wayne Gallman has carried the ball 243 times for 1482 yards and 12 touchdowns, along with catching an additional 152 yards and a touchdown. The Tigers are coming off a 37-17 win over #4 ranked Oklahoma in the Orange Bowl, qualifying them for the National Championship.
Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) smiles as he celebrates a touchdown during fourth-quarter action against North Carolinain the ACC Football Championship at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, N.C., on Saturday, Dec. 5, 2015. (Jeff Siner/Charlotte Observer/TNS)
Alabama enters the playoff for the second year in a row, after losing to Ohio State in the Sugar Bowl in last years semifinal game. Since their week three loss to rival Ole Miss, Alabama has risen back to the second spot in the country, led by Heisman Trophy winner Derrick Henry. Henry has rushed for 2061 yards on 359 attempts and 25 touchdowns, and has pushed Alabama back into the National Title game. Quarterback Jake Coker has been in a game manager role for the Crimson Tide, only passing when necessary and has not thrown costly interceptions. Coker has thrown 2775 yards on the year, along with 19 touchdowns, fewer touchdowns than Henry has on the ground. The Crimson Tide are coming off an impressive 38-0 victory over #3 Michigan State in the Cotton Bowl, a game in which Alabama distinguished themselves as a force to be reckoned with.
Alabama defensive back Cyrus Jones (5) returns a punt 57 yards for a touchdown in the third quarter against Michigan State in the Goodyear Cotton Bowl at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on Thursday, Dec. 31, 2015. (Rodger Mallison/Fort Worth Star-Telegram/TNS)
The game will come down to if the Tigers are able to break through the Crimson Tide’s tough defense, who has allowed a mere 14.4 points per game. Going through Alabama’s defense is not an easy task, as they are coming off their second shut out of the year.
The game will be played tonight at 8:30 pm, on ESPN. According to ESPN’s Football Power Index, the Crimson Tide has a 61.9% chance of winning the game.